ITANAGAR, 15 Oct: More than 2,000 kilograms of waste was removed from the Yagamso River at IG Park here during a mass clean-up drive organised on Thursday, with over 50 youths from Dumporijo constituency participating in a major show of youth-led environmental action.

The drive was organised by the Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) and the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society (AMMS) with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (ISCDCL).

The Dumporijo contingent joined under the banner of Dumporijo Gusar Giteripe Baririjo Maro Students' Union (DGGBMSU), led by its president Alexander Tengam Yoka. Members of Dream for United Arunachal also participated.

The initiative was attended also by former state information commissioner Dr Gumjum Haider.

Following the drive, the YMCR felicitated the collaborating organisations in recognition of their participation and support.

Addressing the participants, DGGBMSU president Yoka thanked the YMCR for the invitation and assured full cooperation and participation of the union in future initiatives of the YMCR in Dumporijo. Dr Haider lauded the DGGBMSU members for travelling from Dumporijo to Itanagar for the cause, and urged them to sustain the spirit of volunteerism and contribute to nation-building.

YMCR-AP vice chairman Keyom Doni expressed gratitude to all volunteers and said such collaborative efforts would be continued to protect the capital's rivers.

He said the objective of the drive went beyond cleaning and aimed at sensitising the youths of Dumporijo to river conservation, environmental protection and collective responsibility.

Discussions were also held on conducting similar clean-up drives to the Subansiri River and other rivers in Dumporijo constituency in the near future.